Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-05-25
SAVED HIS ENEMY.

lSdOelIa MOraleS. DarK, gloomy anu
taciturn was he; she, young and bright
Girl-like, she coquetted with him as with
others, but he felt sure of possessing her
heart. To the surprise of all, she eloped
with and married the young and almost
penniless Adolph Navara.
The forsaken lover retired to his es-
tates, shut himself up in his lonely man.
sion, and would see no one.
Ramona Vasquez, his best friend, the
only man who. could influence him, Wis
tied and pointed out to Comes the unmauly
part which he was acting, the duties he
was neglecting, the suffering he was
causing those dependent upon him, and
at last won him from his retirement.
caused by a disappointment which could
not now be remedied, and he again took
up the concerns of business.
When told that Isabella Navara had
been blessed by the birth of a daugh-
ter, "May Heaven smile upon herr' he
said, but the name of the father was
never mentioned.
Then came the insurrection of Cuba.
Adolph Navara became a commander of
the so-called rebels. Comes joined the
volunteers under the Spanish flag as Cap
tain Of a company, and Ramona Vasquez
was his Lieutenant His friend was sat
isfied that Comes had not joined the vol
unteers so much from regard to the moth
er country as from hatred to the man who
had won his lady. His hope was now that
the chance of war might bring HIM face to
face with his successful rival At men,
ton of Navara's name his dark eyes
would CLEAN with fiend-lilxe fire.
He did his duty well and bravely; his
name was held in high repute in Spanish
headquarters. Promotion was often Of
fered him, but as often refused.
By day and by night no commander was
so eager and relentless n the persistent
pursuit and fearful punishment of rebels
as Comes. He and his men were pitiless,
and consented to or took part in crueties
that will shame the Spanish name while
the memory of them exists. But so far he
had not met Navara, and his disappoint-
ment was great.
One day, in the gray Of the morning,
the volunteer camp was entered by spy,
who informed the officers that he had
traced a rebel officer to a farm house
about mile distant The volunteers,
Comes and Vasquez in command, instant
ly marched to the place; the house was
surrounded and seach was commenced d,
fast and furious.
No opposition was offered. The officers
remained outside Soon the fellow who
the house bearing in his arms a crying
child. After him, with tottering limbs
and face blanched with terror came lady.
''Spare, for tho love of the Holy Virgin,
spare my childl" was her piteous prayer.
The volunteers threatened to impale il
upon their bayonets unless she confessed
where the rebel lay hidden.
'My childl My child Do as you will
with me, only spare my childl" was heI
unceasing cry. No questions would she
answer.
The bayonets were fixed and pointed
the infant raised high in the arms of 8
brawny ruflian, who stood as if ready t.
hurl it upon the death-dcaling points
still the mother pleaded, yet nothing
would she reply to the repeated question
which, answered, would save the life o.
her child.
81 will count nine" quoth a grim ser
geant, land then if you do not lead US t.
the hiding place of the rebel, your child
shall surely die.'
He began to count slowly. She still
pleaded. She did not believe that mep
could perpetrate deed so cruel From
one face to the other she looked as if tG
catch some kindly glance with which t
endorse her hope
At last her eye fell upon the visage Of
Captain Comes, as with a dark scowl he
gazed upon he-. Trembling groaning,
wellnigh swooning, she sank to the
ground, feeling tkat she could expect
neither pity nor mercy from him for the
wife and child of Adolph Navara. Yes.
it was Isabella herself that he looked
upon; his hated rival and all that were
precious to him were at his mercy.
Diego Comes day of terrible vengeance
had como; he hal only to remain silent,
and rctaliation-fearful retaliation-for
oil that he had suffered was in his grasp
He turned to Lieutenant Hasquez. ''YoU
must command here,' he said, in a husky
voice, "but save the child and spare the
mother"
''Put down the child!' he commanded
the soldier, then turned and walked
away.
The lady clasped the little one to he,
breast, end looked, with fearless, starting
eyes, after the Captain, as if doubtful YET
of his kindness. Immovable she stood
till, seeing the soldiers firing the frame
house at its four corners, she fell and
writhed upon the ground. When she saw
the flames spring up and saw the dry tim
bers cracl1le, she leaped to her feet, and
walked firmly to where Diego Comes
stood.
''Senor Comes" she said, ssyou were
once my friend. A thoughtless girl,
vronged you; but you are q man, and Ia
poor, distracted woman. Ny husband
lies within that house, sick, wounded
helpless. Must he die in the fiamesl Yor
are his enemy,a at home and in the field; but
oh, you can save him. Will you notl Oh
If you have one drop Of human kindnes.
in the blood of your veins, save my hus
band. the father of my child. Hove him =
Diego Comes rs he stood watching the
flames that would soon work out his spite
The devil bade him not TO stir lip nor hand
but he glanccl at the pale, agonized face
of the mother. and the cry Of the little
child fell upon his ears.
isabella, you could not love me, bu
you shall not hate me-" he said.
She stared at him with bloodshot eyes
scarce understanding what he meant
The house was burning fiercely; the
flames well-nigh enveloped it in theil
sinuous folds.
''Lieutenant," he called to vasquez
withdraw your men; hasten them away
will de:Iycr the traitor to you withou
fail.'
Vasquez thought he knew the Captain q
meaning, and, pleased to be relieved u om
such duty, he called the soldiers together
and making them believe the rebel had es-
caped, he led them away in full chase.
'Where is your-l" Comes could not say
sshusband.n
Isabella was silent- She was forced to
answer him, for she had heard his words.
He pointed to tie burning house, saying,
ssTrust me-"
She told him what he required to know,
and he rushed into the blazing building.
In spite offiame and smolzeSyhich burned
and blinded him he made his way to the
hiding place OF the rebel chief: and lifting
his insensible enemy into his arms. be bore